Page 36 of A Most Beloved Sister
“How can it be misunderstood when I heard you say it myself?”
Darcy sighed. “Miss Elizabeth, it appears we are going to be residing under the same roof for quite some time, so it may be easier if you made some attempt at civility.”
Elizabeth’s jaw dropped. “Do you not think that the many remarks you have made about my dearest sister may be some excuse for incivility, if indeed I have been uncivil to you?”
Darcy’s face reddened, but she continued speaking with clipped words. “You have continuously maligned my sister, who has done nothing to you! No, Mr. Darcy, I do not believe there is anything you can say that will justify your ungentlemanly behavior.”
She started to turn but stopped momentarily to dip a brief, mocking curtsy in farewell. Once she was out of sight, he let out a groan and hung his head.
Bingley walked up to him and clapped him on the back. “Well done, Darcy. I daresay you couldn’t have offended Miss Elizabeth any more than if you’d tried to insult her.”
Mrs. Hurst entered the room, having completed her farewells to the Bennet family. “Where is Miss Elizabeth?”
Darcy groaned again and hung his head while Bingley burst into laughter. “Let’s just say that Darcy here keeps putting his foot in his mouth.”
“Oh dear,” the lady replied, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle a laugh. “If I didn’t know any better, Mr. Darcy, I would say Caroline was beginning to rub off on you.”
“Speaking of Caroline,” Bingley said, sobering. “We must do something about her, Louisa. Her behavior has been atrocious, and I cannot allow her to continue to mistreat our guests.”
He motioned for his two companions to take their seats. “Sherry, Louisa?”
She acquiesced, and Darcy gratefully accepted a glass of port, even though it was long before the dinner hour. Mrs. Hurst also rang for tea, after which she resumed the conversation.
“She probably won’t stay in her room for more than another day or so, either. Honestly, Charles, I wish we could just send her away,” Mrs. Hurst admitted. “It is a pity she isn’t old enough to release her dowry to her and set her up in her own establishment.”
Bingley snapped his fingers. “That’s it!”
“You mean to set her up in her own home?” exclaimed Mrs. Hurst.
“No, but Icansend her away. Aunt Ethel in Scarborough mentioned feeling lonely in her last letter. What better way to help her and get rid of Caroline?”
Mrs. Hurst gasped. “But Charles, Aunt Ethel is a Quaker!”
“All the more reason to send Caroline to her,” Bingley replied. “Perhaps she will finally learn some humility in living a simpler life. Plain clothing and a focus towards God? Sounds like a fitting consequence to me.”
Darcy raised an eyebrow. “You sound as if you truly intend on going through with this.”
“Yes, I am,” Bingley said firmly. “I have given Caroline enough chances. It is clear that she respects no one but herself. It’s about time I act as head of the household.”
“What if she refuses to go?” Mrs. Hurst asked with wide eyes.
“Then I will carry her out to the carriage myself.”
She laughed. “Netherfield certainly has made an impact on you, little brother.”
At this, the confidence on Bingley’s face gave way to uncertainty. “Am I doing the right thing?”
“Yes!” Mrs. Hurst and Darcy both exclaimed together.
“Unless you know of someone you can marry her off to,” Darcy added.
“Are you volunteering?” Bingley asked with a straight face.
Darcy was unable to prevent a look of horror, which sent both Bingley and Mrs. Hurst into peals of laughter. A maid came with the tea tray, and the amusement at Darcy’s expense faded into silent grins until the girl had finished her duties.
Once the door had closed behind her, Bingley said, “You know, it actually isn’t a bad idea.”
“What, marrying?” Darcy asked.
